Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has launched the preview service for Doha Metro’s Gold Line on Thursday, providing seamless, safe, and reliable transportation to the public between Ras Bu Abboud and Al Aziziyah.
The newly-opened line covers 11 stations: Ras Bu Abboud, National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Bin Mahmoud, Al Sadd, Joaan, Al Sudan, Al Waab, Sport City, Al Aziziyah and interchange station Msheireb.
“The launch of the metro preview services has been well received and we’ve had a extremely positive response from our customers. The launch of the Gold Line service is another key milestone for Qatar Rail leading up to the delivery of our fully-fledged integrated network by 2020,” Qatar Rail’s chief of Service Delivery, engineer Abdulla Saif al-Sulaiti said in a statement.
The Gold Line extends from Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziyah station. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil
Metro passengers will not be required to tap in and out when interchanging between lines as long as they remain within the paid area.
Cost for each trip will also remain QR2 in the standard and family class and QR10 in the gold class.
If a person, for example, is travelling from Al Matar Al Qadeem station (Red Line), changing at Msheireb, to Aziziyah station (Gold Line), he or she will only be charged QR2.
“In the past few months, we have dedicated our efforts to deliver the expansion of Doha Metro services, and we are ahead of schedule,” al-Sulaiti said.
“With the launch of the Gold Line preview service, we are expecting customer numbers to increase considerably as we open up more journey opportunities to explore the city; connecting attractions and lifestyle destinations including National Museum of Qatar, Souq Waqif, Al Sadd and Sport City,” he added.
The opening of the Gold Line yesterday attracted a large number of passengers.
Like the Red Line, operating hours for the Gold Line will also start at 6am until 11pm (Saturday to Thursday) and from 2pm to 11pm on Fridays. Trains come every five minutes.
Qatar Rail’s feeder bus service provider, Mowasalat, will add new metrolink routes to transport passengers to and from metro stations and surrounding areas. Available routes can also be viewed using Qatar Rail’s and Mowasalat’s mobile apps or websites.
Gold Line’s preview service on Thursday also witnessed a large number of people riding to and fro its 11 different stations, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
A passenger told Gulf Times that he finds the metro ride from the DECC station (Red Line) at West Bay to the Aziziyah station (Gold Line) convenient, hassle free, and faster compared to taking a bus or driving a car.
“From West Bay, I will now be able to do regular walking at Aspire Park after my work since it takes only less than 30 minutes to reach the Aziziyah station from DECC. From Msheireb, it’s only about 16 minutes,” he said.
The Doha Metro's Gold Line station at Souq Waqif.
It is learnt that several regular metro passengers have been taking their folding bicycles with them while others use a number of slots at designated areas at various stations.
Qatar Rail noted that its stations carry Doha Metro’s distinct architectural identity, “Vaulted Spaces”, the network’s contemporary design imprint, reflecting regional heritage through open spaces that mimic traditional Bedouin tents. The stations’ interior spaces and floors signifies the colour gold.
“Our stations are accessible and air conditioned. Each contains a customer information and goldclub centre, separate male and female prayer areas and restrooms. Live service updates and information is displayed on monitors in all stations, and information on last train schedule and metrolink services can be found at the stations entrances,” Qatar Rail said.
Many passengers, especially those riding the metro for the first time, also find customer service staff at every station helpful, ready to assist customers and answer their queries.
Stations, Qatar Rail noted, are equipped with security cameras and a first aid room to ensure the safety and security for all metro passengers.
